Spain

Grape vines have been grown on the Iberian Peninsula since at least 5000 years. Today Spain is home to more vines than any other country on Earth and has a national wine output exceeded only by France and Italy.

The greatest concentration of vineyards is in Castilla-La Mancha, but the finest and most famous wines come from Andalucia (Sherry), Castilla y Leon (Ribera del Duero) and of course Rioja.

Spain’s most planted wine grape is Airen, a low-maintenance white variety used mostly for brandy rather than wine. The next most popular variety, Tempranillo, is perhaps the most renowned of all Spain’s native varieties, thanks to its role in the superb red wines of Rioja. It is followed by Bobal, Garnacha and Monastrell for reds and Albarino, Viura/Macabeo and Palomino for whites.

The international varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular in Spain, and their plantings are rising . Along with the most popular varieties, each region has its own proud specialty, such as Hondarrabi Zuri in the Basque Country, Marmajuelo in the Canary Islands and Zalema in Andalucia.

Join us to find out much more about this incredibly diverse wine growing nation and of course taste some the best examples from its many wine regions.